Clicker Training Your Dog – Is it for You?

Clicker for Clicker Training Your Dog

As a dog trainer, I think the clicker is an awesome training tool.  Even though clicking to train sounds very simple, it has to be used appropriately or it may not work effectively.  You have to click the moment the dog does good.  And you have to use it EVERY time.  As a dog trainer, I don’t use the clicker.  Why isn’t it for me?  Because I prefer to give verbal praise.  I just can’t help myself.  Trying to get in the habit of clicking is really difficult for me since I have trained using verbal praise my entire life.  And I started dog training early (I started at age 10 with my beloved Sheltie and childhood friend, Cassie).

If you are new to dog training or you think you can overcome your preconditioned methods of training, the benefits to clicker training are many:
*Positive reinforcement – Clicker training followed by a treat is a clear signal to your dog that they did well.  When they don’t do well, they don’t get a click and don’t get a treat.  No negative reinforcement applies with clicker training.
*No force – There is no need to force your dog with a leash or collar jerk with clicker training.  Reward your dog when he does what you want and do nothing when they don’t.
*Easy to use – It is a simple click and a treat.
*Easy for the dog to understand – Your voice can vary in tone and you may inadvertently convey frustration or impatience.  The click is a clear and concise sound.  If the clicker is used consistently and right when your dog does well, they quickly come to understand the sound of the click as a job well-done.
*Builds confidence in the dog – Rewarding your dog when they do well with a click and avoiding any negative reinforcement helps your dog learn what to do instead of what not to do.
*Great training tool for dogs who are usually shy or stubborn during training – Both shy dogs or stubborn dogs can give up during training if they are having trouble understanding what you are trying to teach.  Clicking gives a clear signal of when they have done well.

If you are considering clicker training for your dog, be sure that the answer to the following questions are yes:
*Can I remember to use the clicker during training every time my dog does well?
*Can I consistently click right at the moment that my dog does well?

For a basic beginning in clicker training and tools, visit our Amazon.com a-Store – Dog Training Supplies.

New Year’s Resolution – Train Your Dog

 

Dog Training Can Be Fun

Perhaps you read one of my posts about the book “101 Dog Tricks”.  In that post, I said I was going to train Maya some of the tricks.  Well, guess what?  I haven’t.  I have been making excuses and procrastinating.  Enough is enough.  It is time to get back on track.

Perhaps you also have a dog which you have been meaning to train.  Well, it’s the new year.  Let’s start a New Year’s Resolution and make a plan.

The first part of the plan is eliminate excuses.  One of the biggest excuses (and one which I have used) is that we just don’t have enough time.  Well, this excuse is really really thin.  You only need to spend 5 minutes a day for training.  That’s it!  Just 5 minutes.  If you want, you can spend two 5-10 minutes sessions a day.  But if time is an excuse, then just do 5 minutes once a day.

Another excuse is that your dog just may not be motivated.  While it is true that some dogs are hard to motivate, you can start your training sessions with things that are easy and fun for your dog.  The easier it is for your dog to earn rewards, the more likely they are to participate in training.  Start simple and work your way up.

Another excuse is that perhaps you do not know how to train.  With all the resources we have available, this excuse should no longer apply.  If you are reading this post, then you have access to the internet.  And with access to the internet comes a lot of free information.  There are websites galore out there who can give you some great tips.  And you don’t have to limit yourself to just reading about dog training.  There are lots of dog training videos on You Tube.

After you eliminate your excuses, it is time to prepare.  Preparation includes getting treats which your dog loves and the right equipment for dog training.  Treats should be small, even for big dogs.  Dog training supplies can include a clicker (if you choose to use clicker training methods), leash, or a treat pouch.  None of these things are required, but they can help. 

And the final step you need to make before beginning is to make a schedule.  A good time to train is after you eat dinner but before your dog eats his.  Or perhaps you can do it right when you get home from work.  But set a time and stick to it.  After a week or two of fun dog training, your dog will know and look forward to the training schedule.

Training your dog is very important.  A well-behaved dog is a happy dog.  And a family with a well-behaved dog is a happy family.  So no more excuses.  It is time to get out and train!